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Langley City boosts amenity fees

It will soon cost developers more to build condos and townhouses in the City of Langley.

Council voted on Feb. 18 to double its Community Amenity Contribution from $500 to $1,000 per living unit.

The fee, paid by developers prior to the issuance of a building permit is separate from Development Cost Charges (DCCs) and is intended to offset the costs of such things as public art, cultural amenities and signage, explained Gerald Minchuk, the City’s director of economic development.

The more construction there is in the City and the more new residents who move in, the more pressure is placed on common areas and amenities, he said.

The fee is a flat rate so whether a unit is 400 square feet or 1,280 square feet, the CAC will be $1,000.

Councillor Jack Arnold expressed concern that the City was singling out multi-family residential construction rather than applying the amenity fee to single family homes as well.

Councillor Gayle Martin followed up by asking how many single family starts there are, on average, in Langley City each year.

There are roughly 15 or 20 compared to 150-200 multifamily units, Minchuk replied.

The $1,000/unit rate still leaves the City “significantly lower than Surrey,” said Minchuk. “We feel the increase won’t deter future development.”

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